House sends Senate’s property tax bill back to committee

Representatives (from left) Tony Dale, R-Cedar Park, Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs and Matt Shaheen, R-Plano confer as property tax legislation is considered on the floor of the House at the Texas Capitol on May 18, 2017. less

Representatives (from left) Tony Dale, R-Cedar Park, Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs and Matt Shaheen, R-Plano confer as property tax legislation is considered on the floor of the House at the Texas Capitol on ... more

Photo: Tom Reel, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

Photo: Tom Reel, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Representatives (from left) Tony Dale, R-Cedar Park, Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs and Matt Shaheen, R-Plano confer as property tax legislation is considered on the floor of the House at the Texas Capitol on May 18, 2017. less

Representatives (from left) Tony Dale, R-Cedar Park, Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs and Matt Shaheen, R-Plano confer as property tax legislation is considered on the floor of the House at the Texas Capitol on ... more

Photo: Tom Reel, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

House sends Senate’s property tax bill back to committee

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AUSTIN — A bill to make changes in the local property tax system was delayed in the House Friday, days after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick threatened to force a special session unless lawmakers pass “genuine” property tax relief.

Senate Bill 2 was returned to the House Ways and Means Committee to ensure it complied with all procedural requirements, said committee Chairman Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton. He said it could come up before the full House again Monday or perhaps as early as Sunday.

Bonnen took issue, as he has before, with Patrick’s idea that the bill would provide tax relief. Since local officials set property tax rates, Bonnen said that the best the state can do is provide a framework that allows taxpayers to understand their tax bills and the ways in which they can make a difference in them.

“The House is not taking actions due to demands of the lieutenant governor,” Bonnen said when asked about Patrick’s threat. “The House is taking actions because we believe in adding transparency and engagement by the local taxpayer.”

Bonnen said he didn’t think the bill’s delay would jeopardize negotiations pertaining to a possible special session. Patrick has said he would not allow action on other crucial legislation unless his top priorities, including the tax measure, are approved.

Only the governor can call a special session, and Gov. Greg Abbott has said he believes lawmakers can get their work done by the time the regular session ends May 29.

Under current law, voters can petition for a rollback election if a city, county or special district increases property tax revenue collections by more than 8 percent, with exclusions for items including new construction. The petition must be signed by 7 to 10 percent of registered voters, depending on the city’s size, a high hurdle.

As approved by senators, SB2 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, would make an election automatic if local officials propose a 5 percent increase in property tax revenues.

Bonnen, the House sponsor, removed the tighter rollback provisions in order to get enough support in his committee to pass the measure.

He said that he has committed to lawmakers on the Calendars Committee, which schedules bills for House floor debate, that he would oppose any amendments to reinstate the rollback provisions.

“I’m confident there are not the votes on the (House) floor for an automatic rollback,” said Bonnen.

If the pared-down bill passes the House, the Senate could ask for a conference committee to negotiate differences. Bonnen said that if a negotiated bill containing the stricter rollback provision is presented to the House, he doesn’t believe it would pass.

“A rollback doesn’t do anything to cut property taxes whatsoever,” Bonnen said. “”This bill is about transparency and empowerment for the local taxpayer.”